Maine Department of Transportation Adopts Complete Streets Policy
Bicycle Coalition of Maine, GrowSmart Maine and other partners join together to help create an innovative statewide policy

PORTLAND, Maine – The Bicycle Coalition of Maine and GrowSmart Maine are proud to announce that after two years of collaborative work from partners around the state, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has adopted a statewide Complete Streets Policy. This policy outlines how MaineDOT and its project partners will consider the needs of all types of users when planning and developing projects.

“This formalized policy, based on federal law and existing state and federal policies, helps ensure Maine’s transportation system is safe for all people, and is intended to help create and maintain economically vibrant community environments,” said MaineDOT Commissioner Bernhardt.

The policy will ensure that all users of Maine’s transportation system—including bicyclists, pedestrians and people of all ages and abilities, have safe and efficient access to the transportation system. This policy is a major milestone in all partner’s efforts to create a safe transportation system for all.

“With its new Complete Streets policy, Maine DOT takes a strong position that its transportation system will connect residents and visitors, regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel, to the state's many destinations," said Roger Millar, Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition at Smart Growth America.

While communities around the state have adopted several local Complete Streets policies, this new directive from MaineDOT applies to all state roads, ensuring that the hard work of towns and cities will be supported at the state level as well.

"Maine has always been a leader when it comes to safety on our roads", said Nancy Grant, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. "Portland, Lewiston and Auburn have already been named tops in the nation for their Complete Streets policies. Now MaineDOT joins them in considering the needs of all modes of transportation when designing and reconstructing Maine's roadways.”

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has a long history of providing for the needs of all modes of travel in the planning, programming, design, rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of the state’s transportation system. This policy is intended to improve Maine’s project delivery processes to help improve and maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system that supports the mobility and economic needs of our state.

Nancy E. Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine added, “When we plan for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses and automobiles, safety is increased, traffic efficiency is increased and our communities are more accessible. This ultimately results in healthier neighborhoods – both physically and economically."

For more information, please visit: http://www.maine.gov/mdot/completestreets/

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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is the statewide voice of cyclists. Since 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has led the effort to make Maine better for bicycling by protecting the rights and safety of cyclists through education, advocacy, legislation and encouragement. We support biking for health, transportation, recreation and fun. For more information: www.bikemaine.org

GrowSmart Maine promotes sustainable prosperity for all Mainers by integrating working and natural landscape conservation, economic growth and community revitalization. We do this by convening and engaging in public conversations about Maine’s future, contributing common sense policy analysis, educating the public, advocating for state and local change and supporting model practices. www.growsmartmaine.org